Income and Poverty

Texas Workforce Commission data compiled by the Associated Press shows that more than 190,000 children are on a waiting list for childcare assistance in Texas.

Thousands of Texas families are waiting for help paying for childcare — and the list is growing

Sujata Dand

Data shows the number of Texas children on a waiting list for childcare payment assistance has spiked in recent years, and advocates worry the pressure on the system isn't letting up.

HHSC shared the new application timeliness data during recent monthly stakeholder meetings. The data shows the state went from processing more than 90% of Medicaid applications within 45 days – the federal standard processing time – to 62% by late August.

Texas' Medicaid application backlog grows to more than 210,000, state data shows

Abigail Ruhman

Data shared by the state during stakeholder meetings reveals Texas' backlog of Medicaid applications grew by more than 209,000 between January and August – while the backlog for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, grew by more than 146,000. Advocates and state officials said new SNAP accuracy requirements might be the cause.

September 2nd, 2026

The KTTZ News Team

Rising food costs are hitting some of the most vulnerable Texans — including seniors living on fixed incomes. The food assistance nonprofit Feeding Texas has seen an increase in seniors seeking support over the past year. Meanwhile, KERA's Abigail Ruhman reports federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could be causing a significant backlog of Medicaid and SNAP applications in the state.

Tanisha Thomas participated in the Center for Transforming Live's Rapid Rehousing program, which is at risk of losing funding as the Trump administration seeks to overhaul the federal Continuum of Care program.

HUD wants to overhaul a homelessness response program. North Texas communities are worried

Emily DeMotte

A federal judge recently blocked a second attempt by the Trump administration to overhaul a homeless response program that critics say would put over 5,000 Texans at risk for reentering homelessness.

Students unload the canned food items into large boxes placed outside of the Capital Area Food Bank. Photo by Katie Hayes

Report shows nearly 1 in 5 Texans are experiencing food insecurity

Shelly Brisbin

Rising grocery and fuel prices, immigration enforcement fears and the scaling back of SNAP benefits are among the factors advocates are concerned are contributing to the trend.

July 1 brings big student loan changes. Here's what you need to know

Cory Turner

A popular (and generous) repayment plan ends, two new plans begin and many borrowers will see new loan limits.

Nearly 11% of Texas children under the age of 6 are uninsured, according to a new report by Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families.

More of Texas' youngest kids are becoming uninsured, new research shows

Olivia Aldridge

A new report shows Texas leading the country in its rate of uninsured children under 6.

A customer shops for produce in an H-E-B grocery store on May 11 in Austin, Texas.

This is how close American households are to the financial edge

Stephan Bisaha

A new report shows that nearly half of U.S. households did not earn enough to cover their necessities in 2024.

The Brookshire Brothers Express grocery store and gas station in Pineland on Jan. 29, 2026.

500,000 fewer Texans are on SNAP as participation slips nationally

Terri Langford and Dan Keemahill

Advocates say the federal government's new work requirements and immigration crackdown has limited food stamp participation. The state says the recent decline is part of normal fluctuations in enrollment.

Soaring car insurance premiums force many low-to-middle income Texans to do without

Andrew Schneider

Approximately 12% percent of Texas car owners are uninsured. A new study from Texas Appleseed and United Way of Greater Houston finds that, for Harris County, that total is more than 14%.